Jann Stuckey MP, Member for Currumbin, has slammed the Minister for Environment and Resource Management for failing to show any interest in the dire situation facing Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

“Reports featured on television this week revealed the serious plight of the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the new Wildlife Hospital,” Ms Stuckey said.

“It is shameful that the Minister for Environment and Resource Management has ignored their pleas for help and failed to provide any comment on this important issue.

“A representative from the Minister’s own department referred to the Wildlife Hospital as just another “carer” to be taken under the wing of DERM’s carer network and provided with a hotline for injured wildlife.

“But what good is a hotline if there is no facility to take the animals to for care? The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital offers a far greater service than it is being given credit for.

“To classify a $1.5 million wildlife facility, that takes in 6,500 injured animals a year, under the banner of a carer, is quite simply an insult to the experienced staff and dedicated volunteers that treat up to 50 animals a day.

“Costs for these services are reaching $300,000 a year, and without urgent funding assistance in the next 2 to 3 months, this financial burden may see sick and injured animals turned away.

“Winter is a quieter period for the hospital but once Spring arrives the number of injured wildlife will increase dramatically.

“This Minister has never visited the Currumbin Sanctuary or the state-of-the-art Wildlife Hospital since her appointment.

“Her absence proves how little this tired Labor Government cares about protecting our native wildlife, and the future of Queensland’s iconic places.

“The situation at the Sanctuary and the Wildlife Hospital has attracted significant media attention in recent months, combined with an outpouring of local community spirit backing the iconic Sanctuary.

“I once again call on this government to save the Wildlife Hospital from closure by giving it the necessary funds to survive.